MANILA – Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots secured a twice-to-beat quarterfinals incentive in the PBA Philippine Cup after an 88-83 win over TNT Tropang 5G over the weekend at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Rafi Reavis provided instant impact in limited minutes in the fourth quarter, tallying four points, six rebounds, one steal, one block, and a +/-seven efficiency to be named Player of the Game for the Hotshots.
“Credit to the coaches. I want to thank them for continuously believing in me, knowing what I am capable of doing,” said the 47-year-old Reavis, who also became the 14th member of the PBA’s 5,000 rebounds club in the game.
“It was a playoff atmosphere and I have been here many times and I know what it takes to get to the next round, trying to go all out, doing what I can on the court or off the court,” added the 11-time PBA champion.
Zavier Lucero top-scored for the Hotshots with 24 points to go with eight rebounds, five assists, and four steals, while William Navarro and Andy Mark Barroca added 13 and 11, respectively, as they improved to an 8-3 win-loss slate.
“I want them to feel the playoff atmosphere (in this game),” said Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero after the win. “I trust my players whenever our backs are against the wall or we are on a do-or-die situation. I trust the guys that they will perform at the very best.”
“Credit to all the players, talagang pinaghandaan nila ito game na ito. Sila naman ‘yan eh, sila ang nag-execute, sila ang dumepensa, sila ang nag usap, kami naman guidance lang eh,” he added.
Roger Pogoy top-scored for the Tropang 5G with 18 points, Calvin Oftana added 15 markers, JP Erram and Jordan Heading tallied 12 apiece, and Kelly Williams contributed 10 points as they fell to a 6-5 record.
Meanwhile, Phoenix Fuel Masters (4-7) ended their season with a 124-109 victory over Blackwater Bossing (2-9) in a battle among two also-ran teams.
Jason Perkins spearheaded the offense with a career-high of 39 points, Kenneth Tuffin finished with a double-double of 29 points and 14 rebounds, while Tyler Tio and Kai Ballungay ended with 14 markers apiece for the Fuel Masters./PN
BOX SCORE:
MAGNOLIA 88 – Lucero 24, Navarro 13, Barroca 11, Sangalang 9, Dela Rosa 7, Lee 7, Dionisio 7, Lastimosa 6, Reavis 4, Laput 0, Alfaro 0.
TNT 83 – Oftana 18, Pogoy 15, Erram 12, Heading 12, Williams 10, Khobuntin 7, Aurin 7, Galinato 2, Enciso 0, Variila 0, Vosotros 0, Heruela 0.
Quarterscores: 21-23, 49-43, 69-66, 88-83.
